Teacher uses CPR to save woman on lunch break

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A teacher on her lunch break in Brooklyn quickly jumped into action to help save the life of a young woman.

"I was happy to be in the right place at the right time," said Cassandra Byrd-Scolaro, a hero teacher.

Cassandra Byrd-Scolaro learned CPR to be a first responder at her school, PS 17 in Williamsburg.

She never expected to use her life-saving skills during her lunch break at a local restaurant.

"You don't think, you just do it. Everything was going through my head that I learned," Bryd-Scolaro said.

Bryd-Scolaro had just started eating her lunch at S and B Restaurant when a table of plainclothes detectives began questioning why a young woman had been in the bathroom for 10 minutes with the water running.

"I heard someone say, 'Get the key, Open the bathroom door!'"Bryd-Scolaro said.

When the chef finally opened the door, they found they young woman passed out on the floor. She was not moving, not breathing and had only a weak pulse.

Bryd-Scolaro sprung into action.

Bryd-Scolaro began doing chest compressions while other bystanders called 911.

She did them for at least four minutes until paramedics arrived, she performed CPR.

"That lady is a hero without a doubt, without her that lady would have died," said Nico Ibanez, the restaurant manager.

By the time the 25-year old victim was lifted into an ambulance, she was awake and breathing.

When Bryd-Scolaro approached her, the woman gave her the finger, some thanks for the woman who had just saved her life.

"I didn't take offense to what she did and if I had to do it again, I would have done what I did again," Bryd-Scolaro said.

The restaurant staff says police found a needle and a spoon in the bathroom, leading them to suspect the woman overdosed on drugs.

Bryd-Scolaro says she hopes the woman makes the most of her second chance.

---
Get Eyewitness News Delivered

Facebook | Twitter | Newsletters | Text Alerts

Get more New York News »

new york city, brooklyn, rescue, new york news, jen maxfield

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•